As I mentioned yesterday, some icons can only support certain file types.  For example, the touch icon must be a PNG file.  Therefore, for the best usability, it is important that we only present images that are compatible with the icon currently being set.

Displaying only PNG Files in media popup

I spent some time tracing the paths of the various media queries to determine where the best point of attack is.  It’s fairly straightforward, but I think I’m going to write a breakdown of the process so that I have a reference for the future, as I am sure to forget it.

So far, it’s properly filtering images when a single file type is allowed (e.g. PNG files for the touch icon).

My next step is to filter by an array of file types.

Which is what I’m about to work on.

Update (15 minutes later): Well, that was faster than expected.  After a quick codeblast, Favicon Rotator now works with single and multiple file type filters.

Now I just need to test, test, test.

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Much time today was spent on determining the most elegant way to pass control of the media upload and selection processes to FIR’s code, which was unexpected because I thought I hashed all this out when I developed the media functionality code for Cornerstone (which was adapted for use in FIR).  Invariably, I found better ways to do things, so while it may have taken some time to rework the code, it will translate to more sound functionality for this and other plugins.

Today

FIR is now setup to handle any number of images, each with their own set of unique properties (width, height, display template, etc.).  I can only think of a couple other icons I may want to add support for in the future, but it now it will be very easy to do so.

Next

I’m working my way down my checklist (which tends to continue to grow longer and longer before it gets shorter) and am nearing completion.  The biggest set of tasks centers around limiting/filtering the upload dialog and image listing to images that match the icon that is currently being set.  For example, touch icons must be PNG files, so FIR will have to only allow uploading PNG files as well as only display PNG files when browsing through the library.

The post FIR: Nearing Release appeared first on Archetyped.

The JavaScript component of the plugin has been updated to allow for multiple icons types.  Instead of just hard-coding support for touch icons, I added support for any number of icon types, so that additional icon types can be added very easily in the future.

I’m now working on finalizing the PHP side of things so that icons of various types (e.g. favicon, touch icon, etc.) are properly saved to and retrieved from the database.  Similarly to the JS work, once completed, any number of different icon types will be supported.

No beta today, and while I’d love to, I’m not going to promise one for tomorrow.  All I can say is that a beta is coming soon and it’ll be worth it when it does.

The post FIR: Touch Icon Progress appeared first on Archetyped.

Touch Icons?

Touch icons are different than standard favicons in that they are specifically used for setting the icon when a site is bookmarked or added to the homescreen of a mobile device such as an iPhone, iPad, or Android phone/tablet.  Touch icons support a much higher resolution than standard favicons (up to 114 x 114 pixels), so simply using the favicon is not ideal.  This update will allow users to set the touch icon for their site independently of any favicons they have added.

Progress

I’ve made decent progress today, but have moved somewhat slower than expected because I’ve had to reacclimate myself to Favicon Rotator’s code.

As usual, I’m also reworking the code to be more flexible for future enhancements.  To be honest, I initially intended to just do a quick and dirty update to add support for touch icons and then clean it up later, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.  It may take a little bit longer, but at least it will be even easier to work with than it is today.

I hope to have a beta version ready to release by tomorrow.

Here’s a quick peek at the slightly updated UI

Updated UI

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